Should deaf parents be allowed to select genes to ensure that their children are deaf? My immediate and continuing reaction is no, absolutely not. It may not be evil -- although it may be -- but it should not be allowed. After all, if a deaf parent had a hearing child and then intentionally caused the child to become deaf through physical injury, we would certainly prohibit and punish that. Are the gene selections so different?
That said, I recognize the issues are more complex, including matters such as drawing lines. And you can sympathize with a deaf parent who wants their child to share their world. But one is supposed to want a better life for your child than you have, even if it causes your life to be worse.
I am afraid that our cultural shift from a 'melting pot' concept to a 'tossed salad' concept, and the encouragement of separate group identities, makes this sort of this inevitable. I think this sort of thing is only going to get worse (until a more cohesive society overruns us).
Posted by: krm | December 06, 2006 at 10:33 AM